Near-record low water on the Missouri River could be bad news for barge operators, but there is a silver lining for people who enjoy picnicking, fossil collecting, camping, fishing and waterfowl hunting.

“The Missouri River is a tremendous recreation area,” said Dan Witter of the Missouri Department of Conservation. “It is most accessible and inviting when the water is low, exposing loads of sand bars, islands and sandy banks where people can get out and enjoy it.”

Normal summer flow on the river is approximately 60,000 cfs at Kansas City. At that level, most sand bars and islands are covered. At a flow of about 41,000 cfs, many large bars and islands are exposed, though barge traffic still is possible.

Flows this year could be far less than 41,000 cfs, exposing hundreds of miles of shoreline along sand bars and islands

Rain and snowfall has been below normal throughout the Missouri River Basin for the past five years, leaving reservoirs in the Dakotas 18 to 20 feet below normal level.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which regulates the river’s flow, says it hopes to keep the river high enough for barge traffic this summer. Even so, lower-than-normal flows are virtually guaranteed for most of the coming year.

Witter said the low water level will leave the tops of rock dikes and other obstructions well above water.

“This coming summer will be a terrific time for people who have never explored the river to get their feet wet,” he said. “With the wing dikes easily visible, boating is much easier.”

A low river also is more inviting because the current is not as swift and floating debris is scarce.

“The water is going to be clearer, the current more gentle and boating conditions ideal,” Witter said.

Once on the river, boaters will find a wealth of sandy beaches, which are much more inviting than the steep mud banks that border the river during high flows. Gradually sloping beaches and nearby shallow water off the main channel are perfect for camping, picnicking and family fishing trips.

“Youngsters don’t always have the patience to spend hours in a boat holding fishing rods,” Witter said. “On a sand bar, they can put down their fishing gear, run around, pick up shells play catch or just splash around in the water for awhile to burn off energy.”

Low water also enhances fishing for flathead, channel and blue catfish, drum and other river fish.